Kaiser Wilhelm II and the difficulties of ruling Germany

Question 1

What problems did Kaiser Wilhelm face in 1914?

Answer 1

• growth of socialism
• borrowed money to increase the army and navy left Germany in a debt that it would remain in for a long time

Question 2

Why was the growth of socialism a concern for the Kaiser?

Answer 2

1. Workers were unhappy with low wages and poor working conditions
2. They joined trade unions and organised strikes.
3. The SPD became popular among the workers.
4. The socialists wanted the Kaiser to allow social reforms or laws to be made to improve workers’ rights.
5. It disagreed with the power held by land and factory owners
6. Some socialists wanted a revolution.

Question 3

What were the Navy Laws?

Answer 3

• a series of laws introduced between 1898 and 1912
• as a result of these a huge amount of money was spent to rapidly increase the size of the army and navy

Question 4

Why were the Naval Laws introduced?

Answer 4

The Kaiser wanted a large navy to help him take over more countries and protect those already in the German Empire.

Question 5

How was the increase in size of the army and navy funded?

Answer 5

• increased taxes
• borrowed money